NBA Warns Branches Against Enforcing Extra Fees As Prerequisite For Mandatory Dues
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned its branches against enforcing additional fees as a condition for paying mandatory dues.
During its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Ilorin, the NBA clarified that lawyers are only required to pay Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues.
NBA President Afam Osigwe stated clearly that no branch has the authority to deny members the right to pay their dues.
He explained that branches can adopt welfare or insurance schemes. However, these cannot be mandatory or tied to the payment of dues.
“Branches have no power to prevent members from paying mandatory dues over non-compliance with other branch policies,” Osigwe said.
This clarification followed reports that some NBA branches had begun demanding extra levies before allowing lawyers to pay their Branch Dues.
Osigwe emphasized that the NBA Constitution and legal practice rules do not support such actions.
He added that the NBA will not tolerate any form of restriction that limits members’ rights to fulfill their professional obligations.
“The only mandatory dues are Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues. No branch can impose new conditions for payment,” Osigwe noted.
The NEC warned that any branch found violating this rule would face disciplinary actions in line with the NBA Constitution.
Lawyers across the country welcomed the clarification, calling it a step toward fairness and uniformity in the association’s operations.
The NBA vows to continue to protect the rights of its members and ensure that branches operate within the bounds of the law.
